What the hell?! What the absolute fuck just happened?
My mind is shooting into several different directions, trying to piece together what I could have said or did to make him react in this way. Is he regretting us sleeping together, or is it something more?
Leaping off the bed, I grab my clothes, strewn across his floor, and head for the door. Ready to head back to my—albeit temporary—room to have a shower and change my clothes. When I get there however, I slump onto the bed, my gaze stuck on the door and the boy just beyond it.
My head is yelling at me to leave him alone, to gather my things, wash my body and get the fuck out like I had planned. But my gut is telling me to march back in there and demand an answer. To tell him he doesn’t get to yell at me, fuck me, and then treat me as if I don’t exist. He may not know all that I’ve been through, but damn it, I deserve better than that.
I’m the one who bangs and walks. How dare he use my move against me.
My gut ends up winning the battle, and still stark naked, I march my perky ass right back into his room and straight for the bathroom door. Slamming it open, it bounces on its hinges as I enter the room like a human firecracker. The sound takes him by surprise, and I don’t miss the small yelp he lets out, but he schools his face back to a natural look rather quickly.
Stomping up to the glass, I rip open the shower door, inviting myself in and cross my arms over my chest. Glaring at him with all the pent up anger I’m feeling turning into an icy demeanor that even the hot water couldn't thaw.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” I ask, cocking my head to the side.
“It’s nothing, just forget it.” There’s no emotion in his tone, or on his face for that matter. But like hell I’ll just “forget it.” He used to be one of my best friends. One of the people that claimed they never gave up on me over the span of twelve years, and he just gave me the cold shoulder. After eating my cunt like a god damn meal, I might add.
“Yeah, that’s not happening,” I quip, moving to corner him and look straight into his eyes. I can’t seem to get a read on what he’s really thinking, and usually he’s an open book. “So, what? You stop me, corner me, admonish me, fuck me senseless, and then throw me to the side like used tissues? What the hell, Kade?!”
My anger has hit a boiling point, bubbling over as I lash out and smack him in the chest, knocking him off center. He takes a step back, stumbling slightly, but catching himself right away. His head hangs between his shoulders, his gaze on the tiles below, and this mother fucker isstillrefusing to acknowledge me.
“So what, all of that was just straight up bullshit then?” I press, getting increasingly annoyed by his silence.
“What am I to you, huh?” I smack his chest again, but with every non-answer, the tension around us heightens. My shoves increasing in force alongside it.
“Just another quick fuck?” Another push.
“Someone you never have to see again?” Another.
“Some sort of check mark on your bucket list?” I scream, moving to shove him again, but this time he catches my wrists and pulls me against his chest.
My anger is still simmering just beneath the surface, brewing in my gaze as our eyes lock together. His green orbs bouncing between the seething green of my own, flickering with a secret he’s too scared to spill. Time slows, and our breathing falters as we stay in this intense stare-off with one another. For just a moment, his gaze drops to my lips, but that single break is all it takes for his mouth to find mine.
This time there is no need, no hunger, as we press against each other under the water’s stream. Kade’s hands move to caress my face, his thumbs rubbing against my cheeks as he pours his soul into the meeting of our lips. My arms naturally move to rest on his hips, holding onto him as if he’s the anchor keeping me here.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers when we finally break for air. His hands never leave my face, as he leans down to rest his forehead against mine. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that. You asked me what you are to me? Bear, you’re everything to me. You always have been.” His voice is so low, I almost miss his heartfelt shower confession.
“Then why did you run off like that?” I ask, even more confused than I was before.
“I was… Iamembarrassed and guilty.” Pulling away, he straightens up and turns off the water. “Come on. Let’s get out and I’ll explain.”
I nod, following his lead as we get out of the shower to dry off. He grabs a towel, wrapping it around me before moving to get his own. The difference in his actions from just moments ago is going to give me whiplash at this rate.
“Thanks,” I mumble with a soft smile.
The care he’s showing me now and these small gestures are throwing me for a loop. I’m used to getting railed and walking off. Always able to take care of myself, never needing anyone to do it for me. I’ve never had the princess treatment, acting as if I mattered to them, like I’m worth more than just a quick release.
As I stare at his retreating figure, watching as he wanders over to his closet, I realize that tonight with Kade has sparked something within me. Something that I wasn’t sure even existed any longer. And with every tender kiss, and sweet caress, it’s beginning to grow.
My beautiful Gemini brings me one of his shirts to wear, the damn thing looking like a ball gown on my short frame. Thanking him again, I quickly towel off my hair and climb into the bed. Sitting against the headboard, my eyes track Kade as he paces by the dresser. Restless and agitated as his face twists and his brows furrow.
“Gemini?” I softly call, stopping his movements and grabbing his attention. “Come sit with me?”
A small grin lifts the corners of his lips as he makes his way to the other side of the bed. Lifting back the covers as he climbs in, pulling me against his side so my head is resting on his bare chest. From here I can hear the beating of his heart, feel the warmth of his skin, and see the rise and fall of his chest. All three combining into the perfect lullaby, dragging me into a deep—and needed—sleep.
I’m fighting my own body, trying to stay awake enough to talk to him, to get some answers. But for the first time in a long time, I feel completely and entirely relaxed.Safe.Somewhere, far in the distance, I think I can hear a voice, but it’s an echo of an echo as I fall into slumber.
Chapter Twenty-Three
